10.10.13 Yona Month.1 10.10.13 Yona Month.2
 

Celebrate Yona Month

 
October is Yona Month                                                                                                         
It’s Yona Month! Today Governor Calvo signed a proclamation with Yona Mayor Ken Joe Ada witnessing the ceremony at the Yona Mayor’s Office declaring October in honor of Yona and her people. The Governor is encouraging the people of and from Yona to come together and “celebrate the greatness of this village with pride that is centered on your culture, faith, and family.”
 
Yona Launches Governor’s My Village Project                                                                
The proclamation of Yona Month launched the Governor’s My Village Project (information contained in previous news release). He thanked Mayor Ada for agreeing and inviting the administration to bring services to the doorsteps of the people of his village.
 
Activities to Celebrate Yona Month                                                                        
The Governor and Mayor Ada have coordinated the following activities with a number of government and private partners:
–       Government door-to-door outreach of education, welfare, and safety services
–       Literacy outreach at MU Lujan Elementary
–       Trick-or-treat tips to students at St. Francis Catholic School
–       Launch of the Governor’s anti-drug campaign in these schools (more information to be provided soon)
–       GPD outreach to neighborhoods to set up watch programs
–       Cleanup of the baseball field
–       Cleanup of an illegal dumpsite
 
 
Take Pride in Yona                                                                                                                 
Yona holds distinct historical value to the people of Guam. In the last few weeks of the Japanese Occupation, Japanese soldiers forced residents out of their homes and into campsites. Every day, men and women were ordered to march the long distance to the largest campsite in Manenggon, Yona. Manenggon valley became home to 13,500 occupied Chamorros–many died from substandard living conditions, starvation, and disease. Every year, we remember the memory of those who lost their lives and the strength and resilient spirit of the Chamorro people who lived to tell their story. With the guidance of the Chamorros who survived, our island has grown into the thriving paradise that it is today.
 
Yona is an educational and spiritual hub. It is home to the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, the St. Francis Catholic School, M.U. Lujan Elementary and Guam Adventist Academy. The St. Francis Catholic Church is the center of faith and is located at the center of Yona–surrounded by schools, stores, recreational areas and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  The scenery should not be forgotten. Residents from Yona and throughout the island are familiar with weekend activities at Yona’s Tagachang Beach and Turtle Cove. Most visitors will travel down to take advantage of the Leo Palace Resort, the Windward Hills Country Club, and Hamamoto Fruit World for their scenic accommodations, golfing opportunities, and locally grown produce.
 
Yona, derives its name from the Chamorro word “iyo-ña.” This roughly translates ‘to collectively possess something material, personal or spiritual.’ “Iyo-ña” illustrates the shared pride the residents of Yona have for their community from the residents of Central Yona to the residents of Windward Hills, they all call this village home.

*****End of Release*****

 
 

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